The fashion and beauty worlds are in mourning today. Karl Lagerfeld, larger-than-life designer, creative director behind Chanel and Fenti, and fashion industry icon, passed away in Paris on Tuesday. He was 85.

It was rumored that Lagerfeld was ill when he didn't attend the Chanel Haute Couture show in January, though WWD reports that he worked right up until the end. His Fendi fall ready-to-wear collection is scheduled to show in Milan on Thursday.

The House of Karl Lagerfeld confirmed news of the designer's death on his official Instagram page. "He was one of the most influential and celebrated designers of the 21st century and an iconic, universal symbol of style. Driven by a phenomenal sense of creativity, Karl was passionate, powerful and intensely curious," read the caption accompanying a tribute posted to his feed. "He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed."

The German designer, who moved to Paris a teenager, began his career in fashion as Pierre Balmain's assistant in 1955. With stints at Jean Patou, Chloé, and Fendi, Lagerfeld rose through the fashion ranks to become creative director at Chanel in 1983. His revitalization of the brand is legendary in the industry. It was Lagerfeld who introduced the world-famous "CC" monograph. During more than 35 years at the fashion house, Lagerfeld and Chanel became inseparable in fashion lexicon.

Lagerfeld in his Paris studio, 1979.

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In addition to designing for luxury fashion houses, Lagerfeld collaborated with H&M, Coty, and Diesel. Even his beloved cat, Choupette, had her own fashion and beauty collaborations, earning a reported $4.4 million in 2014. Lagerfeld had the power to make even his cat an international fashion icon, but he also used his influence to encourage up-and-coming designers like Jeremy Scott and Victoria Beckham.

Lagerfeld with his models at Chanel's fall/winter ready-to-wear show, 2005.

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Designers, models, and fashion editors have come out to pay tribute to Lagerfeld and his legacy. Victoria Beckham wrote on Instagram, "So incredibly sad to hear this. Karl was a genius and always so kind and generous to me both personally and professionally. RIP." Olivier Rousteing also took to Instagram to describe what Lagerfeld meant to him: "You have been a school for all of us, you will always be present, reminding and defining what fashion is." It's hard to underestimate Lagerfeld's legacy as tributes pour in from all corners of the fashion world.

Lagerfeld will be remembered as one of the most prolific and influential figures in fashion, and his trademark white collared shirt, black jacket, sunglasses, and ponytail will remain an iconic image in the fashion-history books.